Knights of Columbus

In Service to One, In Service to All

Mission

Together, we’re empowering Catholic men to live their faith at home, in their parish, at work and in their community.

Our Faith

Our goal is to help men, their families and their parishes grow closer to Christ. Through our programs and resources, we provide opportunities to live and spread the Catholic faith.

Charities

Donations to Knights of Columbus Charities Inc. enables you to make a profound impact locally and around the world.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

A Higher Purpose

Spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and pray for Our Lord to make his heart our own, so that we may see and love in others what he sees and loves in us.

Overview

Through the Pilgrim Icon Program, councils organize a Sacred Heart Holy Hour featuring an icon depicting the most famous image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, painted in 1767 by Pompeo Batoni and now venerated in the Church of the Gesù in Rome. The reproduction bears the blessing of Pope Francis, through the Papal Almoner, and is one of more than 300 icons traveling across the world, from council to council, for veneration and use in prayer services.

The Sacred Heart Holy Hour includes readings from Sacred Scripture and reflections from Pope Francis on the Sacred Heart, as well as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, prayers to the Sacred Heart and time for silent prayer. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament may also be included. Following the holy hour, families are encouraged to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their homes by placing an image of the Sacred Heart in a place of honor and conducting an enthronement ceremony.

Since the first traveling pilgrim icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1979, more than 191,000 council and parish prayer services with some 23 million participants have been held.

Key aspects of the Knights of Columbus:

  • They offer financial products like life insurance, disability income, and long-term care insurance. 

  • Charity and Service:

    They are committed to charitable projects and have contributed significantly to various causes, including disaster relief, youth support, and international aid. 

  • Faith and Community:

    The organization fosters a strong sense of community and encourages members to live out their faith in action. 

  • History and Purpose:

    Founded by Father Michael J. McGivney to provide mutual aid and support to Catholic families, the Knights of Columbus have grown to become a global organization. See below for more history

  • Membership:

    Membership is open to practicing Catholic men aged 18 or older. See below to join

  • Fourth Degree:

    A special degree within the organization that focuses on patriotism and promoting responsible citizenship. 

  • Safe Environment Program:

    The Knights of Columbus has a Safe Environment Program to protect children and other vulnerable individuals. 

History

Father McGivneyLate-19th century Connecticut was marked by the growing fraternal benefit societies, anti-Catholic prejudice and dangerous factory working conditions that left many families fatherless. Recognizing a need in his community, Father Michael J. McGivney, the 29-year-old assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., gathered a group of men at his parish on Oct. 2, 1881. He proposed establishing a lay organization to prevent Catholic men from entering secret societies antithetical to Church teaching, uniting Catholic men and helping families of deceased members.

To demonstrate their loyalty to their country as well as their faith, these men took Christopher Columbus — recognized as a Catholic and celebrated as the discoverer of America – as their patron. The Knights of Columbus elected officers in February 1882 and assumed corporate status on March 29.

In addition to the Order’s benefits, Catholic men were drawn to the Knights because of its emphasis on serving one’s Church, community and family with virtue. Fraternity and patriotism were added to the Knights’ founding principles of charity and unity in 1885 and 1900, respectively.

1882: The Knights of Columbus is born on Feb. 6, 1882, when the first members choose Columbus as their patron. Immediately after the Order’s March 29 incorporation, Father McGivney sends a diocesan-wide appeal for new members to priests.

Late-19th century Connecticut was marked by the growing fraternal benefit societies, anti-Catholic prejudice and dangerous factory working conditions that left many families fatherless. Recognizing a need in his community, Father Michael J. McGivney, the 29-year-old assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Conn., gathered a group of men at his parish on Oct. 2, 1881. He proposed establishing a lay organization to prevent Catholic men from entering secret societies antithetical to Church teaching, uniting Catholic men and helping families of deceased members.

To demonstrate their loyalty to their country as well as their faith, these men took Christopher Columbus — recognized as a Catholic and celebrated as the discoverer of America – as their patron. The Knights of Columbus elected officers in February 1882 and assumed corporate status on March 29.

In addition to the Order’s benefits, Catholic men were drawn to the Knights because of its emphasis on serving one’s Church, community and family with virtue. Fraternity and patriotism were added to the Knights’ founding principles of charity and unity in 1885 and 1900, respectively.

1882: The Knights of Columbus is born on Feb. 6, 1882, when the first members choose Columbus as their patron. Immediately after the Order’s March 29 incorporation, Father McGivney sends a diocesan-wide appeal for new members to priests.

 John J. Phelan the first supreme knight1886: By the end of his four-year term as supreme knight, James T. Mullen presides at the institution of 22 of the first 38 councils. John J. Phelan is elected and is the first supreme knight to see the Order’s future as a national society.

1890: Father McGivney dies Aug. 14, 1890.

1892: The Order passes laws allowing noninsurance (associate members) to join.

1892: 6,000 Knights march in the New Haven Columbus Day parade to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the New World.

1895: The Vatican’s first acknowledgment of the Knights comes when Archbishop Francesco Satolli, apostolic delegate to the United States, writes a letter extolling the “merits of this splendid Catholic organization” and giving the Order his apostolic blessing.

1897: On Nov. 25, 1897, Canada’s first council — Montreal Council 284 — is chartered.

Become a Member

Be a part of the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization.

Our goal is to help men; their families in our parish grow closer to Christ. Through programs and resources, we provide opportunities to live and spread the Catholic faith.
Together, we’re empowering Catholic men to live their faith at home, in our parish, at work and in our community.
Parish membership is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practicing Catholics.
Monthly Meetings
For further information on these programs or to find out how you can become involved:
Council Contact: TBD
Chaplain:  Fr. Tim Schumaker, Parish Pastor, tschumaker@stjosephgrafton.org, (262) 375-6500, Ext. 103